[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 4, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS ALLOWABLE USE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 3, 2014

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 1791, the ``Medical 
Preparedness Allowable Use Act'', but I have serious concerns about 
this legislation and its overlap with the policies appropriately 
established in the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA).
  Of course, we all agree that it is important for states, territories, 
tribes, and high-risk urban areas to be prepared for possible acts of 
terrorism. And we also agree that medical preparedness and related 
activities are an important part of this.
  However, I worry that this bill may result in duplicative and 
uncoordinated efforts across the government.
  The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the lead federal 
entity on the public health and medical response to public health 
emergencies and incidents, including bioterrorist attacks. 
Specifically, this bill conflicts with HHS's authority under PAHPA. 
Legislation reauthorizing the PAHPA authorities at HHS was passed on an 
overwhelmingly bipartisan basis by the House and Senate and signed into 
law just last March.
  HHS already undertakes a number of activities related to enhancing 
medical preparedness and medical surge capacity in States and cities. 
The Department also maintains a stockpile of countermeasures and other 
pharmaceutical supplies for terrorist attacks and other public health 
emergencies--which is managed by the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security 
(DHS).
  I believe the use of DHS grant funds for medical preparedness 
activities authorized in H.R. 1791 without any consultation requirement 
or acknowledgement of HHS's role in public health and medical response 
efforts is short-sighted. It has the potential to undermine HHS's 
leadership and expertise on this important issue and impede a unified 
federal response to terrorist attacks.
  If my colleagues believe that there should be enhanced support of 
medical preparedness activities, I hope that we can work together to 
find a way to ensure coordination of efforts and preserve HHS's 
important role.

                          ____________________